The 2024 Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade drew thousands to Main Street in Bandera on Saturday.
The day dawned bright with clear blue skies after a night of storms and hail in the county. Puffy clouds scudded across the sky as a modest breeze kept everyone cool.
Even though the temps were chilly, the visitors came out to see the parade. Some wore coats but most didn’t let the cool weather dim their enthusiasm.
The parade had 104 entries lined up in Bandera City Park ready to wind their way down Main Street.
Before the parade began, an exciting police chase by local cowboy reenactors took place on the route.
The fugitives raced down Main in their antique 1901 Oldsmobile with “outlaw cowboy” Roy Dugosh sitting in the back bed firing on the lawmen chasing them in a 1901 Ford Horseless Carriage.
The lawmen fired back as the chase prepped the crowd for the excitement to come.
The crowd was filled with locals and with visitors from all over the U.S. and even Europe.
Many in the crowd had come out with their best Mardi Gras attire. Couples strolled down Main Street dressed in green, purple and gold feathers.
Some sported crawfish or alligator accessories. Many had already started their bead collection and wore masses of plastic necklaces dangling around their neck before the parade began. Most were enthusiastic about stopping for pictures.
The parade began with Texas and U.S. flags being carried down the street by the parade Grand Marshals on horseback.
Parade entries spanned the gamut from people strolling, bicycle riders, horseback riders, small ATV’s, large ATV’s, trucks with trailers, fire trucks, a water well truck, Jeeps, Corvettes and antique cars. All were decorated with all manner of Mardi Gras paraphernalia.
Blow up characters were also part of the parade entries. Life size alligators were the most popular, but several entries had skeletons, velociraptors and even big yellow duckies. One unlucky crawfish rode on top of a trailer in a cooking pot and threw beads to the spectators.
Ladies on horseback and cowboys riding mules pranced down the street. The horses had beads, sashes and blankets in Mardi Gras colors.
Their riders dressed up in fancy cowboy duds and sported fancy Stetsons decorated for the occasion.
Bandera has never seen the likes of gold spandex, colorful sequins and vibrant feathers on so many outfits. Decorated boots were all the rage.
The parade participants threw mountains of Mardi Gras beads, candy and trinkets.
The parade spectators all stood with their arms out waiting for the loot to be thrown their way.
Local businesses had many of the parade entries. Buddy’s Water Well Service, Texas Salt Company, Trail Boss Steak and Grill, 11th Street Cowboy Bar, American Water Well Service, Bandera Brewery and Manorwerks were only some of the businesses represented.
Local social organizations were also a part of the parade. The Bandera Wranglers, The Cowboy Capital Trail Riders, The Bandera Natural History Museum, The Comancheros Nomads, Hometown Community Band and Sisters on the Fly all had entries in the parade.
Several local political candidates were represented by floats in the parade as well as several local Republican organizations.
The Jeep Club and Alamo Area Corvettes brought their amazing vehicles out to participate.
Two speed boat entries revved their engines to the delight of the crowd as they made their way down Main Street.
The Marshal’s Office had an entry and registered people in front of the Fire Station to win rodeo tickets. The Girl Scouts came out in force tempting all and sundry with their delicious cookies.
The Bandera Library raised money by selling savory sausage on a stick and street corn. For those who chose to donate, the Library provided premium seating right on the parade route.
As the last parade entry rolled down Main Street, a stray cloud hovered overhead and released a shower of big drops on the crowd.
People hurried to their cars or wandered down to the festivities on 11th Street. Another successful Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade ended just in time.
